EAST BROOKFIELD — Drunken driving charges against an East Brookfield man were upgraded to a fourth offense after a police officer checking the suspect's driving record found that previous cases against him had been sealed by the court.

John Snyder, 50, of 161 Baker Hill Road, East Brookfield was arrested Aug. 5 in Spencer after another driver noticed him swerving on Route 9 and became concerned because she could see a child in the back seat.

Officer Valerie Morin found Mr. Snyder in the parking lot of Price Chopper, where he had stopped. A young child with Down syndrome was in the back seat.

Mr. Snyder allegedly stumbled out of the car and "his legs folded under him," the police report states. He was unable to complete field sobriety tests, Officer Morin wrote in her report.

The driver "had attempted to parallel park," the report states. "The attempt was a failure."

As Officer Morin spoke with Mr. Snyder, he talked with his face toward the sky, she wrote, adding that because of their height differences, she stood on a curb to speak with him. He told her he was taking his son to the child's mother's house. Police later learned the two are locked in a custody battle, and Mr. Snyder has physical custody of the boy and the child's mother was not aware they were coming.

According to the report, Mr. Snyder told police his son's name is "Frankie, or something like that." Police later learned the child's name is Samuel.

Inside the car police found six empty beer cans and some pizza. Mr. Snyder told Officer Morin he "fell off the wagon," she reported. Later, during routine question at the police department, Mr. Snyder told officers he felt "wonderful," according to police.

The child's mother took custody of the boy, and Mr. Snyder was charged with driving under the influence, child endangerment and negligent operation of a vehicle. He was released on personal recognizance.

Later, when Mr. Snyder's driving history was available, police learned that he had three times before been charged with driving under the influence. The court dismissed the DUI charge and he was arraigned Aug. 12 on a new charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, fourth offense. He was released on $2,500 bail and is due back in court Oct. 3.

Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimmring